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Jaafar MA, Heins BJ, Dechow C, Huson HJ. The impact of using different ancestral reference populations in assessing crossbred population admixture and influence on performance. Front Genet 2022; 13:910998. [PMID: 36226168 PMCID: PMC9549382 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.910998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Crossbreeding is a process in which animals from different breeds are mated together. The animals produced will exhibit a combination of both additive and non-additive genetic improvement from parental breeds that increase heterozygosity and negate inbreeding depression. However, crossbreeding may also break up the unique and often beneficial gene combinations in parental breeds, possibly reducing performance potential as the benefits of heterosis depends on the type of crossbreeding systems used and heritability of the traits. This effect of crossbreeding, especially on the genome architecture, is still poorly understood with respect to 3-breed crossbreeding systems. Thus, this study examined variation in genomic ancestry estimations relative to pedigree-based estimations and correlated breed composition to key production and health traits. Two rotational crossbred populations, referenced as ProCROSS and Grazecross were assessed and totaled 607 crossbred cattle. ProCROSS is a product of rotational crossbreeding of Viking Red (VKR), Holstein (HOL), and Montbeliarde (MON). In contrast, Grazecross consists of Viking Red (VKR), Normande (NOR), and Jersey (JER). Both breeding programs were aimed at capitalizing on the positive effect of heterosis. The VKR is a marketing term for Swedish Red, Danish Red, and Finnish Ayrshire breed which complicated breed determination. Therefore, genomic breed composition estimates were compared using two different representations of VKR, one of which was based on parents used in the crossing system and a second based on genotypes from the ancestral breeds that comprise VKR. Variation of breed composition estimates were assessed between pedigree and genome-based predictions. Lastly, Genomic estimations were correlated with production and health traits by comparing extreme performance groups to identify the relationship between breed ancestry and performance. With the exception of the JER breed composition in Grazecross, all other estimates of the purebred contribution to the ProCROSS and Grazecross showed a significant difference in their genomic breed estimation when using the VKR ancestral versus the VKR parental reference populations for admixture analysis. These observations were expected given the different relationship of each VKR representation to the crossbred cattle. Further analysis showed that regardless of which VKR reference population was used, the degree of MON and HOL breed composition plays a significant role in milk and fat production in ProCROSS, while the degree of VKR and NOR ancestry were related to improved health performance in Grazecross. In all, identifying the most appropriate and informative animals to use as reference animals in admixture analysis is an important factor when interpreting results of relationship and population structure, but some degree of uncertainty exists when assessing the relationship of breed composition to phenotypic performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd A. Jaafar
- Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Bradley J. Heins
- West Central Research and Outreach Centre, University of Minnesota, Morris, MN, United States
| | - Chad Dechow
- Department of Animal Science, Penn State University, State College, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Heather J. Huson
- Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: Heather J. Huson,
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Kappes R, Knob DA, Scheid AL, Barreta BE, Perazzoli L, Mendes BB, Alessio DRM, Neto AT. Rumination time, activity index, and productive performance of Holstein and crossbred Holstein × jersey cows exposed to different temperature-humidity indexes. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2022; 66:791-801. [PMID: 34993629 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-021-02237-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the rumination time, activity index, milk yield (MY), physicochemical milk characteristics, and physiological indicators of pure Holstein (H) and first (F1- ½ Holstein × Jersey) and second-generation (R1- ¾ Holstein × ¼ Jersey) of crossbred cows in a pasture-based system under the influence of different temperature-humidity indexes (THI). Twenty-two multiparous cows (H = 7, F1 = 5, and R1 = 10) were evaluated throughout 1-year period. Daily information on rumination time and activity index was obtained using the software HealthyCow24® and the daily THI was determined from data logger information. Weekly, MY, physicochemical milk characteristics, body weight, body condition score, and physiological indicators were evaluated. THI were grouped into six classes from safe (< 68) to emergency (≥ 84). Variance analyses were performed. There was no interaction between the genetic group and THI classes for any trait. The rumination time was longer for crossbred R1 and F1 cows than for Holstein cows. The activity index increased, and rumination time decreased as the THI classes increased. There was no difference in MY between the genetic groups, but crossbred cows showed higher milk fat and protein content. Our study indicated that the high THI increases the activity index and decreases the rumination time, MY, and the physicochemical quality of milk, BW, BCS, RF, and RT of the three genetic groups (H, F1, and R1).
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Kappes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciência Animal, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias, Universidade Do Estado de Santa Catarina, CAV/UDESC, Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
| | - Deise Aline Knob
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciência Animal, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias, Universidade Do Estado de Santa Catarina, CAV/UDESC, Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Angelica Leticia Scheid
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciência Animal, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias, Universidade Do Estado de Santa Catarina, CAV/UDESC, Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Bruno Emanuel Barreta
- Graduandos Do Curso de Medicina Veterinária Do Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias - Universidade Do Estado de Santa Catarina, CAV/UDESC, Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Laiz Perazzoli
- Graduandos Do Curso de Medicina Veterinária Do Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias - Universidade Do Estado de Santa Catarina, CAV/UDESC, Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Bruna Bergamaschi Mendes
- Graduandos Do Curso de Medicina Veterinária Do Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias - Universidade Do Estado de Santa Catarina, CAV/UDESC, Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Dileta Regina Moro Alessio
- Núcleo de Centro de Educação a Distância, Universitário Leonardo da Vinci, Indaial, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - André Thaler Neto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciência Animal, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias, Universidade Do Estado de Santa Catarina, CAV/UDESC, Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil
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Kargo M, Clasen JB, Nielsen HM, Byskov K, Norberg E. Short communication: Heterosis and breed effects for milk production and udder health traits in crosses between Danish Holstein, Danish Red, and Danish Jersey. J Dairy Sci 2020; 104:678-682. [PMID: 33162080 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2019-17866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
During the last decade, the use of systematic crossbreeding in dairy cattle herds has increased in several countries of the world. The aim of this study was to estimate the effect of breed proportion and heterosis on milk production traits and udder health traits in dairy cattle. The study was based on records on milk yield (MY), protein yield (PY), fat yield (FY), somatic cell score (SCS), and mastitis (MAST) from 73,695 first-lactation dairy cows in 130 Danish herds applying systematic crossbreeding programs. Around 45% of the cows were crosses between Danish Holstein (DH), Danish Red (DR), or Danish Jersey (DJ), and the remaining were purebred DH, DR, or DJ. The statistical model included the fixed effects of herd-year, calving month, and calving age and an effect representing the lactation status of the cow. In addition, the model included a regression on calving interval from first to second lactation, a regression on the proportion of DH, DR, and DJ genes, and a regression on the degree of heterozygosity between DH and DR, DH and DJ, and DR and DJ. Random effects were the genetic effect of the cow and a residual. The effect of breed proportions was estimated relatively to DH. For MY, a pure DR yielded 461 kg milk less than DH, whereas a pure DJ yielded 2,259 kg milk less than a pure DH. Compared with DH, PY was 41.7 kg less for DJ, whereas PY for DR was 4.0 kg less than for DH. For FY, a DR yielded 10.6 kg less than DH, whereas there was no significant effect of breed proportion between DJ and DH. A DR cow had lower SCS (0.13) than DH, whereas DJ had higher SCS (0.14) than DH. There was no significant effect of breed proportion on MAST between the 3 breeds. Heterosis was significant in all combinations of breeds for MY, FY, and PY. Heterosis for crosses between DH and DR was 257 kg (3.2%), 11.9 kg (3.2%), and 8.9 kg (3.2%) for MY, PY, and FY, respectively. Corresponding figures for crosses between DH and DJ were 314 kg (4.4%), 14.3 kg (4.4%), and 10.4 kg (4.0%), whereas heterosis between DR and DJ was 462 kg (6.7%), 19.6 kg (6.7%), and 13.9 kg (5.4%) for MY, PY, and FY, respectively. Heterosis was only significant for SCS in the crosses between DH and DR. Heterosis effects for MAST were nonsignificant for all the crosses. The results obtained in this study demonstrate that in first lactation cows, there is a positive effect of heterosis on milk production traits, but limited effect on udder health traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kargo
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Aarhus University, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark; SEGES, Agro Food Park 15, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark.
| | - J B Clasen
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Aarhus University, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark; SEGES, Agro Food Park 15, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - H M Nielsen
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Aarhus University, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark
| | - K Byskov
- SEGES, Agro Food Park 15, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - E Norberg
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Aarhus University, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark
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Sjostrom LS, Heins BJ, Endres MI, Moon RD, Sorge US. Effects of winter housing system on hygiene, udder health, frostbite, and rumination of dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2019; 102:10606-10615. [PMID: 31477309 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2018-15759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of 2 winter (December to April) housing systems on dairy cow hygiene scores, frostbite, teat condition, clinical mastitis, and activity and rumination across 3 winter seasons (2013, 2014, and 2015). Certified-organic cows (n = 268) were randomly assigned to 2 treatments (2 replicates per system): (1) outdoor straw pack (outdoor) or (2) 3-sided compost-bedded pack barn (indoor). Cows calved during 2 seasons (spring or fall) at the University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center, Morris, Minnesota, organic dairy. Organic wheat straw was used as bedding for the 2 outdoor straw packs, and bedding was maintained by farm management to keep cows dry and absorb manure throughout the winter. The compost-bedded pack barn (2 pens in the barn) was bedded with organic-approved sawdust, and the bedding material was stirred twice per day with a small chisel plow. Hygiene scores were recorded biweekly as cows exited the milking parlor. Incidence of clinical mastitis was recorded in a binary manner as treated (1) or not treated (0) at least once during a lactation. Frostbite incidence was collected monthly. Activity and rumination times (daily and 2-h periods) were monitored electronically using a neck collar sensor (HR-LD Tags, SCR Dairy, Netanya, Israel). Indoor cows had greater udder hygiene scores (1.75 vs. 1.46) and greater abdomen hygiene scores (1.79 vs. 1.43) compared with outdoor cows. Additionally, the indoor cows had greater upper and lower leg hygiene scores compared with outdoor cows. Incidence of clinical mastitis was greater for indoor cows compared with outdoor cows (27.1% vs. 15.1%, respectively). Frostbite incidence was not different between indoor (30.1%) and outdoor (17.5%) cows. Daily rumination was 509 min/d for indoor cows and 530 min/d for the outdoor cows. In summary, lactating cows housed outdoors on straw-bedded packs had cleaner udders and improved udder health compared with cows housed in a compost-bedded pack barn.
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Affiliation(s)
- L S Sjostrom
- Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108
| | - B J Heins
- Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108.
| | - M I Endres
- Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108
| | - R D Moon
- Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108
| | - U S Sorge
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108
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Pereira GM, Heins BJ. Activity and rumination of Holstein and crossbred cows in an organic grazing and low-input conventional dairy herd. Transl Anim Sci 2019; 3:1435-1445. [PMID: 32704908 PMCID: PMC7200548 DOI: 10.1093/tas/txz106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Holstein and crossbred dairy cows from an organic grazing and low-input conventional herd were evaluated for activity and rumination across 4 yr (January 2014 to December 2017). Data were from two herds, an organic grazing (ORG) and a low-input conventional (CONV) that were managed similarly at the University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center, Morris, MN. Breed groups and total cows across the 4-yr study in the analysis for both herds were Holstein (HO, n = 114), 1964 HO genetic line (H64, n = 83); crossbreds sired by Montbéliarde, Viking Red, and HO (MVH, n = 248), and Normande, Jersey, and Viking Red (NJV, n = 167). During the summer grazing season (May to October) ORG cows were on pasture and supplemented daily with 2.72 kg of corn per cow, and CONV cows were fed a total mixed ration (TMR) in an outdoor confinement dry-lot. During the winter season (November to April) ORG and CONV cows were fed a TMR consisting of corn silage, alfalfa haylage, corn, soybean meal, and minerals in an outwintering lot and a compost barn. Activity (reported in activity units by daily and bihourly periods) and rumination, (min/d and min/2 h) from SCR DataFlow II software, were monitored electronically using HR-LD Tags (SCR Engineers Ltd, Netanya, Israel) for the 4-yr period. Daily activity was greater for 2016 and 2017 (P < 0.05) than for 2014 and 2015 for the ORG and CONV herds. Daily rumination varied by year, and 2015 and 2016 were lower (P < 0.05) than 2014 and 2017 in both herds. The HO and crossbred cows were not different (P > 0.05) for activity in both the ORG and CONV herds. The H64 cows had lower (P < 0.05) rumination than the other breed groups in the ORG and CONV herds. For ORG primiparous cows, the H64 cows had lower rumination than MVH cows, and the ORG multiparous H64 cows had lower (P < 0.05) rumination than HO and MVH breed groups. For CONV primiparous cows, the HO cows had greater (P < 0.05) rumination the other breed groups, and the CONV multiparous HO, MVH, and NJV cows had greater (P < 0.05) rumination than the H64 cows. Results from this study suggest that activity and rumination are different between breeds in the experimental low-input dairy herds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glenda M Pereira
- Department of Animal Science, West Central Research and Outreach Center, University of Minnesota, Morris, MN.,Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN
| | - Bradley J Heins
- Department of Animal Science, West Central Research and Outreach Center, University of Minnesota, Morris, MN.,Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN
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Ribeiro V, Raidan F, Barbosa A, Silva M, Cardoso F, Toral F. Multiple trait and random regression models using linear splines for genetic evaluation of multiple breed populations. J Dairy Sci 2019; 102:464-475. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2017-14321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Shonka-Martin B, Hazel A, Heins B, Hansen L. Three-breed rotational crossbreds of Montbéliarde, Viking Red, and Holstein compared with Holstein cows for dry matter intake, body traits, and production. J Dairy Sci 2019; 102:871-882. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2018-15318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 09/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Ferris C, Purcell P, Gordon A, Larsen T, Vestergaard M. Performance of Holstein and Swedish-Red × Jersey/Holstein crossbred dairy cows within low- and medium-concentrate grassland-based systems. J Dairy Sci 2018; 101:7258-7273. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2017-14107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Clasen JB, Norberg E, Madsen P, Pedersen J, Kargo M. Estimation of genetic parameters and heterosis for longevity in crossbred Danish dairy cattle. J Dairy Sci 2017; 100:6337-6342. [PMID: 28551196 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2017-12627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 04/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Crossbreeding has been shown to improve the longevity of dairy cattle in countries across the world. The aim of this study was to estimate heterosis, breed effects, and genetic parameters for longevity in crossbred dairy cattle among Danish Holstein (DH), Danish Red (DR), and Danish Jersey (DJ) breeds. Data were provided from 119 Danish commercial herds that use systematic crossbreeding (i.e., rotational crossbreeding). Additional data from 11 mixed-breed herds with DH and DJ were included to estimate reliable breed effects for DJ. Survival information on 73,741 cows was analyzed with a linear animal model using the artificial insemination-REML algorithm in the DMU package. Five longevity (L) traits were defined: days from first calving until the end of first lactation or culling (L1), days from first calving until the end of second lactation or culling (L2), days from first calving until the end of third lactation or culling (L3), days from first calving until the end of fourth lactation or culling (L4), and days from first calving until the end of fifth lactation or culling (L5). Heritabilities ranged between 0.022 and 0.090. Additive breed effects in units of days were estimated relative to DH for DR as -0.5 (L1), +10.5 (L2), +18.5 (L3), +11.9 (L4), and +28.6 (L5), and corresponding figures for DJ were +2.0, +0.5, +14.2, +27.7, and +44.0. Heterosis effects in L1 were low (1.2%) but favorable in crosses between DH and DR, whereas negative heterosis effects were estimated for crosses between DH and DJ (-2.5%) and DR and DJ (-1.2%). The largest heterosis effects for L2, L3, L4, and L5 were found in DH × DR and were favorable (+3.3, +5.7, +7.7, and +8.5%, respectively). Corresponding figures for heterosis effects in DH × DJ and DR × DJ were favorable as well: +2.3, +4.1, +5.6, and +6.2% in DH × DJ and +3.1, +7.3, +6.9, and +7.2% in DR × DJ. The favorable heterosis effects show that crossbreeding is an efficient tool for improving longevity in Danish dairy cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- J B Clasen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Science and Technology, Aarhus University, 20 Blichers Allé, 8830 Tjele, Denmark; SEGES, 15 Agro Food Park, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark.
| | - E Norberg
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Science and Technology, Aarhus University, 20 Blichers Allé, 8830 Tjele, Denmark
| | - P Madsen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Science and Technology, Aarhus University, 20 Blichers Allé, 8830 Tjele, Denmark
| | - J Pedersen
- SEGES, 15 Agro Food Park, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - M Kargo
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Science and Technology, Aarhus University, 20 Blichers Allé, 8830 Tjele, Denmark; SEGES, 15 Agro Food Park, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
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Stone A, Jones B, Becker C, Bewley J. Influence of breed, milk yield, and temperature-humidity index on dairy cow lying time, neck activity, reticulorumen temperature, and rumination behavior. J Dairy Sci 2017; 100:2395-2403. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2016-11607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Hazel A, Heins B, Seykora A, Hansen L. Production, fertility, survival, and body measurements of Montbéliarde-sired crossbreds compared with pure Holsteins during their first 5 lactations. J Dairy Sci 2014; 97:2512-25. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2013-7063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2013] [Accepted: 12/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Hazel A, Heins B, Seykora A, Hansen L. Montbéliarde-sired crossbreds compared with pure Holsteins for dry matter intake, production, and body traits during the first 150 days of first lactation. J Dairy Sci 2013; 96:1915-23. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2012-5667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2012] [Accepted: 11/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Vance E, Ferris C, Elliott C, Hartley H, Kilpatrick D. Comparison of the performance of Holstein-Friesian and Jersey×Holstein-Friesian crossbred dairy cows within three contrasting grassland-based systems of milk production. Livest Sci 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2012.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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15
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Heins B, Hansen L, Hazel A, Seykora A, Johnson D, Linn J. Short communication: Jersey × Holstein crossbreds compared with pure Holsteins for body weight, body condition score, fertility, and survival during the first three lactations. J Dairy Sci 2012; 95:4130-5. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2011-5077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2011] [Accepted: 03/07/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Heins BJ, Hansen LB, De Vries A. Survival, lifetime production, and profitability of Normande × Holstein, Montbéliarde × Holstein, and Scandinavian Red × Holstein crossbreds versus pure Holsteins. J Dairy Sci 2012; 95:1011-21. [PMID: 22281364 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2011-4525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2011] [Accepted: 10/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Pure Holstein (HO) cows (n=416) were compared with Normande (NO) × HO (n=251), Montbéliarde (MO) × HO (n=503), and Scandinavian Red (SR) × HO (n=321) crossbred cows for survival, lifetime production, and profitability in 6 commercial herds in California. The SR crossbred cows were sired by both Swedish Red and Norwegian Red bulls. Cows calved from June 2002 to January 2009. For analysis of survival to subsequent calvings, lifetime production, and profitability, data were restricted to 3 of 6 herds because they had at least 20 cows in each of the breed groups. All cows had the opportunity to calve at least 4 times. Best prediction, which is used by USDA for national genetic evaluations in the United States, was used to determine lifetime production to 4 yr (1,461 d) in the herd after first calving from test-day observations. Production and survival were estimated after 4 yr to calculate lifetime profit. A profit function was defined to include revenues and expenses for milk, fat, protein, and other solids production; somatic cell count; reproduction; feed intake; calf value; salvage value; dead cow disposal; and fixed cost. The NO × HO (1.2%), MO × HO (2.0%), and SR × HO cows (1.6%) had significantly fewer deaths than did pure HO cows (5.3%) during the first 305 d of first lactation. All crossbred groups had significantly more cows that calved a second, third, and fourth time, and had mean survival that was 300 to 400 d longer than did pure HO cows. The NO × HO, MO × HO, and SR × HO cows had significantly higher lifetime fat plus protein production than did pure HO cows up to 1,461 d after first calving. For profitability (ignoring possible differences in health costs), NO × HO cows had 26% greater projected lifetime profit per cow, but 6.7% less profit per cow-day, than did pure HO cows. On the other hand, MO × HO and SR × HO cows had 50 to 44%, respectively, more projected lifetime profit per cow and 5.3 to 3.6%, respectively, more projected profit per cow-day than did pure HO cows.
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Affiliation(s)
- B J Heins
- Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108, USA.
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Blöttner S, Heins BJ, Wensch-Dorendorf M, Hansen LB, Swalve HH. Short communication: A comparison between purebred Holstein and Brown Swiss × Holstein cows for milk production, somatic cell score, milking speed, and udder measurements in the first 3 lactations. J Dairy Sci 2011; 94:5212-6. [PMID: 21943771 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2011-4255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2011] [Accepted: 06/14/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Brown Swiss × Holstein (BS × HO) crossbred cows (n = 55) and purebred Holstein (HO) cows (n = 50) were compared for milk yield, fat and protein production, somatic cell score, milking speed, and udder measurements for the first 3 lactations. Cows from a designed experiment were housed in a freestall barn at the experimental station of the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, and calved from July 2005 to August 2008. Best prediction was used to determine actual production for 305-d lactations from test-day observations. For the first 3 lactations, BS × HO cows and HO cows were not significantly different for milk yield, fat and protein production, or SCS. Average milking time was significantly longer for BS × HO cows than for HO cows for first, second, and third lactations by 35, 51, and 30s, respectively. Average milking speed expressed as average yield per minute was significantly lower for BS × HO cows than for HO cows for the first 3 lactations by 0.19, 0.35, and 0.19 kg/min, respectively. Front and rear teats were significantly longer for BS × HO cows than for HO cows. Furthermore, front and rear udder clearance was significantly lower for BS × HO cows compared with HO cows in first and second lactations.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Blöttner
- Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, University of Halle, 06099 Halle, Germany
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